Mossel Bay – Fatal drowning incident and a missing man:

At 14h53, Saturday, 19 March, NSRI Mossel Bay duty crew were activated following reports of a drowning in progress at De Bakke Beach. NSRI Mossel Bay duty crew were also activated after an emergency whatsapp group message reported a person fallen down cliffs into the sea at the St Blaize walking trail at Mossel Bay Golf Estate.

Andre Fraser, NSRI Mossel Bay station commander, said:

At the time a routine training course was taking place at our sea rescue station and immediately the sea rescue craft St Blaize was launched and our NSRI rescue vehicle, ER24 ambulance services, By Grace ambulance services, SA Police Services and a Police Dive Unit responded.

Eye-witness information indicated that 2 children were in difficulty in the surf when one managed to get out of the water and one had disappeared under water.

It appears that while swimming a local 13 year old male got into difficulty when his brother, aged 17, tried to assist him. The 17 year old brother had then managed to get back to shore when the 13 year old had disappeared under water.

On arrival on the scene a sea and shoreline search commenced. The teenager was located under water and recovered onto the sea rescue craft.

CPR (Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation) efforts commenced. The teenager was brought to shore where paramedics continued with extensive CPR efforts.

After all efforts to resuscitate the teenager were exhausted sadly he was declared deceased.

Police have opened an inquest docket.

The body of the teenager was taken into the care of Police and Government Forensic Pathology Services.

Condolences are conveyed to the family of the deceased teenager.

On Sunday, 20 March, at 15h47, NSRI Mossel Bay duty crew were activated after an emergency whatsapp group message reported a person fallen down cliffs into the sea at the St Blaize walking trail at Mossel Bay Golf Estate.

The sea rescue craft St Blaize rescuer was launched while our NSRI rescue vehicle and additional NSRI crew responded to the land side.

By Grace ambulance services, Mossel Bay Fire and Rescue Services, SA Police Services, Mossel Bay Traffic Services and WC Government Health EMS rescue squad and ambulance responded.

A shoreline and sea search commenced.

2 helicopters joined the search. One helicopter is privately owned by a local man who volunteered his helicopter to assist in the search and one helicopter volunteered by Mossel Bay helicopters.

Despite an extensive sea, shoreline and air search there remains no sign of the 23 year old male.

Police have opened an investigation.

The Police Dive Unit are continuing in an ongoing search. On Monday the Police Dive Unit are being assisted in an ongoing search by Disaster Risk Management, Mossel Bay Fire and Rescue Services, WC Government Health EMS, Government Health Forensic Pathology Services, NSRI Mossel Bay, Community Police Forum members, Neighbourhood Watch and the 2 local helicopters.

Thoughts are with the family of the missing man in this difficult time.